When Vince Wilfork was taken off the field in a cart with his shoe and sock off on his right foot you knew it wasn't good. A source has told the Herald the Patriots defensive captain has suffered a torn Achilles and is done for the remainder of the season.

The loss of the defensive lineman is significant. He's the cornerstone of the front seven. He routinely takes up two blockers freeing up others to make tackles or get to the quarterback. He has dominated games on occasion. His absense will be felt.

Joe Vellano figures to take his spot along with Chris Jones. Both are rookies. Vellano was undrafted out of Maryland. He registered a big sack of Matt Ryan last night. The Patriots claimed Jones off waivers a few weeks ago. He played in his first game last night. The Pats are pretty thin as it is on the line. Tommy Kelly is the only other healthy interior lineman at the moment. It's possible the Pats could pick up someone else. Armond Armstead has a non-football illness. The soonest he could be available is Week 7.

Wilfork suffered the injury toward the end of the first series of the game while trying to change direction and chase down wide receiver Julio Jones on a screen pass. Wilfork was able to walk off the field and get to the Patriots sideline but when he tried to get up to go to the locker room he was unable to put any pressure on the foot. That's when the cart was called for the Pro Bowl lineman.The injury was first reported by the Boston Globe.